How to remove drum trap on sink?

[Kevin Dyck]

Hello.

We bought a 'like new' '78 Trillium a few weeks ago and have discovered that the plumbing is a mess. The drum trap on the sink is all cracked and leaking. Since it's in two parts, I can remove the bottom by removing four screws, but the top bit that's attached to the sink seems pretty solid and has no obvious screws or threads. It seems like it's also glued or silicon'ed into place. Can anyone tell me how to remove this puppy? I'd just use force until something gave, but my wife ensures me that it might be a case for finesse rather than brute strength.

I've attached a picture of the trap I found elsewhere on this site.

[ERIC B.]

Once the drain line is disconnected from the trap, unscrew the trap counterclockwise (looking from the bottom). Use water pump pliers or "Channel-locks" and grip on the part that has the ridges (nearest the sink bottom). The trap should unscrew from the drain basket (sink strainer) assembly. This assembly drops in the sink from the top. When reinstalling, apply plumbers putty to the underside of the drain basket assembly before dropping it in place. There may also be a rubber gasket between the sink base and trap assembly upon re-installation.

Hope this helps!

Eric B.


PS- This may be a time when brute force is required. Since it's broken already, what can go wrong?

[Marc]

A pair of needlenose pliers stuck down the drain to hold the part in the sink will help get it apart.

[Joy A]

I disconnected the drain line and simply unscrewed the bowl from the upper portion. I had to pry the upper portion out as it had some plumbers putty holding it down tight. That upper portion just drops in.

Don't replace it with the same bowl type, like some folks do. Go get a small drain at the hardware store with a basket and put it in. They come with a nut that scews on from underneath to pull it all together. Then just attach the drain line. That's what I did and also I purchased a small white rubber drain plug to seal the sink if I want to fill it wih water or keep things that are stored in the sink while traveling from going down the drain.

I love having the basket. The original drain didn't have one as it had a post with threads in center for the drain plug to screw into. That post was always in the way and hard to keep the drain clean.

I don't know why Scamp every put that style drain in as it not necessary. The regular drains with baskets don't cost anymore and are certainly nicer. Oh, I know the bowl is intended to catch things like a trap but with a basket you don't worry about it.